October 29, 2024 Dear fellow Cantabrigians, Current issues: MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROPOSAL. As Co-Chair of the Neighborhood & Long term Planning Committee I organized a meeting to discuss ideas for improving the Multifamily Housing (MFH) Proposal with neighborhood leaders. Drafted by the Community Development Dept. (CDD) the proposed zoning amendment would permit… Continue reading
November 30, 2024 Greetings Fellow Cantabrigians, Last Sunday I returned from the National League of Cities (NLC; https://www.nlc.org/]) Conference in Tampa, FL, where I was reminded that many of the challenges we face in Cambridge are shared across the country. Hearing from other municipal leaders was very helpful. I walked Tampa’s riverfront… Continue reading
December 22, 2024 Greetings Fellow Cantabrigians, Here are my latest Council updates: Multifamily Housing ProposalI was disheartened by the Ordinance Committee meeting Thursday night. I had thought the outpouring of letters and testimony against the MFH proposal and the Planning Board’s refusal to support it would make councillors reconsider. And… Continue reading
January 17, 2025 Greetings Fellow Cantabrigians, Here are my latest Council updates: Multifamily Housing ProposalYesterday, the Ordinance Committee voted to send the two petitions to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation to be passed to a second reading. There is the potential for a second reading on January… Continue reading
February 2, 2025 Dear Fellow Cantabrigians, It’s been another very busy few weeks on the Council. MOST SIGNIFICANT: Multifamily Housing The MFH proposal continues to advance despite its potential to dramatically disrupt the City. Four of us tried to replace the current proposal: 4+2 (4 stories as of right plus… Continue reading
March 3, 2025 Dear Fellow Cantabrigians, Here is what’s happening on Council: Hot off the Press: City Manager Yi-An Huang’s Contract Renewed for Four Years Huang has received strong marks from City staff and the Council. I am grateful for his professional, intelligent, thoughtful, and fair leadership and the stability… Continue reading
March 15, 2025 Dear Fellow Cantabrigians, Transportation Committee Meeting this Monday I will chair the Transportation Committee meeting this Monday, March 17, 10am-12noon about better accommodating all forms of transportation, including driving, while we continue to encourage more sustainable options. MIT Professors Joseph Ferreira and Jinhua Zhou, and Robin Chase,… Continue reading
April 4, 2025 Dear Fellow Cantabrigians, Here’s what’s happening in our City: Study of the Half Crown Marsh Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCDs) The Council has decided to delay the renewal of the Half Crown Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District until next year. They first want to evaluate its impact on multi-family… Continue reading
April 30, 2025 Dear Fellow Cantabrigians, Here’s what’s happening at City Hall: City Finances With its long-time AAA bond rating, Cambridge is in excellent fiscal health. Per our City Charter, the Council sets budget priorities and the City Manager is responsible for the bottom line. Decades of robust commercial development… Continue reading
May, 26, 2025 Dear Fellow Cantabrigians, Here’s what’s happening at City Hall: Budget Hearings: May 8-15 I was disappointed to learn that the City Council has less say and involvement in the final budget, as presented by the City Manager, than I had expected. There was little discussion, despite the… Continue reading
